Family Business - 1978 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 17

Today we are talking to one of the busiest lyricists in show business, Glenn Slater. In the first part of our extensive discussion, besides discussing all aspects of the writing of LOVE NEVER DIES with Andrew Lloyd Webber and its West End debut, Slater also elaborated on the rewriting of the show and how this new Australian production and unprecedented in-theater presentation of it across the US is the ultimate realization of Lloyd Webber's dream vision for the musical drama - something the Lord shared with me himself when he recently did this column. In addition to all about LOVE NEVER DIES, in this second half of our recent chat Slater and I also trace his career trajectory to date, with a focus on his recent collaborations with composer Alan Menken on the smash hit Disney animated film, TANGLED, along with the currently-running Broadway hit, SISTER ACT, and, the upcoming Spring opening of their new musical, LEAP OF FAITH, starring Raul Esparza, as well as their previous theatre venture, THE LITTLE MERMAID. Plus, Slater shines some light on his upcoming projects, which include a Dreamworks animated musical with Menken, as well as a stage collaboration with his wife, Wendy Leigh Wilf, titled BEATSVILLE - all of that and much, much more!

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The entire entertainment world is reeling. We have lost one of our most iconic pop, R&B and soundtrack performers this evening - as well as a formidable movie star in her own right - Whitney Houston was just reported dead at the age of 48. Having had one of the most successful and most multimedia of careers of any multi-hyphenate star in recent memory, Houston scored multiple Grammys and racked up countless nominations over the course of her multi-decade recording career, yet her most notable contributions to the world of music reside in her outstanding soundtrack work - most of all, the songs for the film in which she made the transition into feature film leading lady, 1992's THE BODYGUARD. The biggest hit from THE BODYGUARD's blockbuster soundtrack was undoubtedly Houston's rendition of a Dolly Parton song originally recorded in 1974 and later made famous by Parton in the feature film version of the Broadway hit THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, "I Will Always Love You". In addition to Houston's sensational work on that mega-selling soundtrack - one of the Top 5 best-selling soundtracks of all time - she also provided her dramatic and vocal skills to the multi-platinum soundtracks to THE PREACHER'S WIFE and WAITING TO EXHALE, both films which she also starred in to much box office success. An Oscar-winning duet with Mariah Carey, "When You Believe" by WICKED's Stephen Schwartz from THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is yet another diadem in Houston's triple crown of accomplishments in the realms of music, film and television - having dominated all. Theatre fans may know Houston best for her incomparable portrayal of the Fairy Godmother in the incredibly successful 1997 ABC TV adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Brandy and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. In addition to Houston's contributions to THE BODYGUARD, THE PREACHER'S WIFE, WAITING TO EXHALE, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and CINDERELLA, Houston also rose to fame early in her career for her rendition of "Home" from THE WIZ on THE Merv Griffin SHOW, as well as made a mark with a Cissy Houston duet on the CHESS international smash, "I Know Him So Well" on her second hit album. The last project Houston was working on prior to her death on Saturday night was the feature film musical SPARKLE, co-starring AMERICAN IDOL winner and Broadway standout Jordin Sparks. SPARKLE reportedly completed production of principal photography and soundtrack sessions, though it is not clear when the musical remake will now be released in light of Houston's unexpected death. No matter the circumstances of her life and death, Whitney Houston most surely left a legacy that will never be forgotten by those that adored her for her vast multitude of talents and many notable accomplishments in all areas of entertainment.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The Painted Bride Art Center will give Philadelphia audiences a glimpse into an untold story from American history as it continues the build-up to the World Premiere of Ain Gordon and Nadine Patterson's Place Philadelphia in 2013. The three-time Obie Winner, Gordon, is presenting his one-woman show, In This Place… Thursday, March 8-Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. at the Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 day of show. Tickets are available online at www.paintedbride.org or by phone at 215-925-9914.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room offers Classic Soul, R&B, Traditional Pop, Jazz, Comedy, Revue and Cabaret entertainment.

The Painted Bride Art Center is thrilled to give Philadelphia audiences a glimpse into an untold story from American history as it continues the build-up to the World Premiere of Ain Gordon and Nadine Patterson's Place Philadelphia in 2013. The three-time Obie Winner, Gordon, is presenting his one-woman show, In This Place… Thursday, March 8-Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. at the Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine Street. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 day of show. Tickets are available online at www.paintedbride.org or by phone at 215-925-9914.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation today announced that after two decades of accomplishments with the Ailey organization-16 of them as the organization's Executive Director-Sharon Gersten Luckman is planning to step down in 2013, in order to pursue new endeavors.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Russell Crowe's Chicago vocal coach, a hot new Broadway star, three productions at the North Shore Center, 'Show Boat,' Jessie and Darren's dreams come true and more....

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub announces upcoming performances for January, February, and March.

The RRazz Room offers Classic Soul, R&B, Traditional Pop, Jazz, Comedy, Revue and Cabaret entertainment.

HOOK, LINE AND SISTERS is coming to TLC on Thursday, December 29th at 10/9c. Everyone knows commercial fishing in Alaska can be a deadly job. Everyone also knows it's mostly a man's world. But there are a few brave women working right alongside them! HOOK, LINE AND SISTERS tackles this dangerous world from a whole new perspective ... a woman's!

The ever-popular Broadway musical Annie will light up Sydney's Lyric Theatre from 29 December in an exciting new production produced John Frost.

HOOK, LINE AND SISTERS is coming to TLC on Thursday, December 29th at 10/9c. Everyone knows commercial fishing in Alaska can be a deadly job. Everyone also knows it's mostly a man's world. But there are a few brave women working right alongside them! HOOK, LINE AND SISTERS tackles this dangerous world from a whole new perspective ... a woman's!

New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), which has supported the advancement of women in the entertainment industry for more than 30 years, will present their 31th annual Muse Awards at a gala luncheon to be held Wednesday, December 7th at the New York Hilton.